Also present: Cornwall Cllr Chris Batters, Clerk, Mr Robin Turner. No members of the public attended.

105/17 Apologies for absence: Cllr Nott-Bower.

106/17 Members Declaration of Interest and any requests for dispensations: None .

107/17 Invitation to members of the public to address the meeting:

Cllr Hoyle had reported a planning enforcement issue, brought to her attention by a member of the public, to Cllr Batters. He advised the meeting that he would be pleased to take the matter forward with the Planning and Sustainable Development Service, following a formal instruction from the clerk to do so. The clerk noted the details to follow up, as requested.

Cllr Batters advised that the Cornwall Councillor Grant scheme was open once again and that an application from WPC would be welcome and gave an indication that a sum up to £200 would be available for an eligible purpose.

108/17To approve the minutes of the council meeting held on 5th July 2017.

Cllr Cubitt proposed to approve the minutes of the meeting of 5th July 2017, seconded by Cllr Hoyle. It was resolved unanimously to approve the minutes of the 5th July 2017. Cllr Shearer signed the minutes.

109/17 To consider matters arising from minutes of 5th July 2017 which are not agenda items below.

110/17 Finance matters.

Responsible Finance Officers report.

1)Devolution Grant claim £500 made to Bodmin TC, funds awaited.

2)Neighbourhood Development Plan Locality Grant £4929 was received 21st July 2017 from Groundwork UK.

3)Exercise of public rights re Sections 26 and 27 of the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014 which provide for Inspection of annual account 2016/17 expires 11/8/2017. Thereafter will be the completion of the external audit and the result will be posted on the notice board and online at Withiel.com.

4)Quarter 1 2017 internal audit completed with no issues and no concerns.

Cllr Hoyle proposed these payments and Cllr Cubitt seconded and it was resolved by an unanimous vote to make the payments.

111/17 Planning: To consider and approve a consultee comment for the planning applications listed below and any others received prior to the evening of the meeting.

None.

112/17 Planning: To report planning decisions of the planning authority received prior to the evening of the meeting.

None.

Cllr Batters left the meeting at this point.

113/17 Neighbourhood Development Plan.

Cllr Cubitt advised that the completed plan has now gone forward to Cornwall Council for the consultation process.

114/17 Local Government Boundary Commission.

Cllr Coy proposed the following resolution:

In response to the Local Government Boundary Commission review and consultation, this Parish Council supports the recommendation made by Cornwall Council in March 2017 that the number of councillors to be determined following the review and consultation process should be 99.

In response to the LGBC questions, the Parish Council observes

That a membership of 87 proposed by the LGBC is not sufficient to adequately cover, in an accountable way, the committee tasks and obligations of the Cornwall Council even if a reduction in these is implemented;

That it is important that there should be an adequate number of councillors for the number and size of the electoral divisions in the county, taking into account the community leadership and representation role of councillors;

That town and parish councils – especially smaller rural ones – may be unable or unwilling, even if combined into larger units, to take on and resource the devolved responsibilities implied by a Council of 87 members.

The Parish Council also notes the current democratic deficit where Cornwall is sixth lowest of 45 ceremonial counties in the ratio of councillors to electors.

Cllr Malone seconded the resolution and it was resolved that the clerk would forward the response to the Boundary Commission.

115/17 Broadband.

The clerk reported details of proposed coverage for the following Withiel postcodes obtained from the Superfast Cornwall program and being the post codes that had not been reported upon at the July 2017 meeting.